I grew up in Oklahoma City. There was just Momma, Daddy, younger brother David, and me. All the extended family lived halfway across the United States in western North Carolina. I have often wondered how my mom managed to raise a family without the support network of family. Momma was the spiritual leader of our home. She faithfully made sure that my brother and I went to church on Sunday. This meant getting dressed in our Sunday finest and walking several blocks to the local Baptist church.
Momma loved singing hymns; I remember her deep alto voice singing praises to the Lord. I especially remember an Easter Hymn “Christ Arose,” an old hymn written in the 1800s.
The song starts very somber:
Low in the grave he lay, Jesus my Savior! Waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!
The Refrain, however, is much more joyous and sung with enthusiasm:
Up from the grave He arose, with a mighty triumph o’er His foes, He arose a Victor from the dark domain and He lives forever with His saints to reign, He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!
What a wonderful memory hearing Momma’s voice singing praises on Easter morning. Through her constant faithful witness, my Daddy became a Christian in his early 40s. My brother and I were saved as teenagers. And I have the assurance of knowing that one day we will all be singing in the heavenly choir…
Hallelujah! Christ arose!
Diane Powers
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